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Friday Feature: Potential Specialty Crop – Florida Tea Production

By Doug Mayo 

Researchers at the University of Florida’s Horticulture Department have been evaluating the possibility of tea production in Florida.  This week’s featured video was published by UF/IFAS to share the highlights of the trails that have been conducted south of Gainesville, at the Plant Research and Education Center.  As popular as specialty teas have become in the US, there may be potential for this alternative crop in the region. Tea is in the same plant family as camellias, so there is hope that suitable lines can be found for further testing.  At this point, scientists are simply trying to identify cultivars that are adapted to this climate, but have also begun working on possible production practices.

Source : ufl.edu

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Healthcare, Energy, and Food Security Under Pressure in Rural America

Video: Healthcare, Energy, and Food Security Under Pressure in Rural America

There are always many balls in motion when it comes to an economy and way of life. Economist Gbenga Ajilore is back with us from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. He talks about the mounting healthcare crisis in rural communities in the distance to drive for service and the increase in cost for that very care. We also get into the energy sector and what the cancellation of $300 billion in clean energy investments has done to rural communities. We’ll close with changes and lost efficiencies in food assistance benefits.